Governments and companies involved in leasing land claim it is little used and that the projects will bring food security, create jobs and boost tax revenues – none of which is true
"People are having their land stolen from them, literally, without even being aware it has happened, let alone consenting."
A group of twenty Dutch companies visited Juba this week, looking for business opportunities. In the South Sudanese capital they bumped into a 50-member strong delegation from Japan, who was there for exactly the same purpose. Meanwhile, the Indians are on their way.
The so-called “global land grab” continues the historic process of land enclosures described by Sir Thomas More in Utopia as “sheep eating men,” when English peasants were evicted from the commons to make room for private estates.
Notes from the October 11 press conference organized by the Italian Committee on Food Sovereignty in Rome.
A study of sub-Saharan Africa raises concerns that large-scale commercial agriculture could cause unforeseen but disproportionate impacts on access to water by small-scale producers.
Victims of "land grabbing" have joined 800 of the world's leading environment and development groups to press the UN to establish strong guidelines to protect communities affected by large-scale land investments.
Husband and wife team founded Emergent Asset Management, which has led controversial farmland acquisitions in southern Africa.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture plans to conduct a media tour accompanied by officials next week in Gambela to increase public awareness surrounding land grabbing issues.
Developers hover as 5 million hectares, and national pride, are signed away in 99-year leases that have raised fears of corruption.
Harassment and threats abound in areas where land grabbing is taking place.
Sierra Leone authorities have arrested 39 protesters in the south of the West African nation, following tensions between the local population and a unit of Socfin, owned by France's Bolloré Group
